Careers Portal

Rural Generalist


Rural generalists are general practitioners who provide primary care services, emergency medicine and have training in additional skills such as obstetrics, anaesthetics or mental health services.

A rural generalist is a medical practitioner who is trained to meet the health care needs of Australian rural and remote communities by providing both comprehensive general practice and emergency care, and required components of other medical specialist care in hospital and community settings as part of a rural healthcare team.
As a rural generalist you will be skilled to address important gaps in rural services such as obstetrics, mental health, palliative care, and emergency care.


What is the National Rural Generalist Pathway?
What aspects aren't as enjoyable as a rural GP?
What is a rural generalist?


Rural generalists are greatly valued and appreciated by the communities they serve, which makes for a truly rewarding career.  They are usually:

  • Resourceful and resilient
  • Thrive on providing an extended scope of practice
  • Adaptable, perceptive medical practitioners
  • Able to work in a range of environments. 

Rural generalists also have the following skills and characteristics:

  • An interest in continuity of care
  • Good communication, coordination and teamwork skills
  • Leadership, advocacy and equity
  • Comfort in working in isolation and clinical independence.
What is the Remote Vocational Training Scheme?


To work as a rural generalist you will need to achieve a fellowship with either the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) followed by advanced specialist/rural skills training. Refer to the following websites for additional information: ACRRM, RACGP and WA Coordination Unit.

 

Did the ACRRM training prepare you for your career?
What support is available through the Independent Pathway?
When can I apply for the Remote Vocational Training Scheme?
Why choose the ACRRM pathway?


WA’s rural and remote population does not have enough access to the medical services they require. The formalisation of the rural generalist is one of many strategies the Commonwealth Government has implemented to increase this workforce maldistribution.

N.B. Career prospects are dependent on both the supply of specialists and the projected future demand for services provided by medical specialists (including general practitioners). The complex interplay of supply and demand is currently being modelled at both a state and national level and will be included when it's available.